As we prepare to leave England we can look back at a very enjoyable, educational and cultural experience, both in terms of seeing a new country and in getting to know our own family better. We have now been travelling for almost four weeks - that's four weeks living in each others pockets. Remarkably we all still like ea
ch other and have grown together as a family.
ch other and have grown together as a family. The children are generally playing really well together and stick together on our our excursions around the country.The places we have chosen to visit in England and Scotland, and you can't possibly take in every landmark, have been the Cheshire region, London, York and Edinburgh. All of these places have had so much to teach us and for us to take in.
The Cheshire region, particulary the township of Helsby where we made our first stop, and Chester are both lovely towns. Helsby, small but interesting, particularly with the 
climbing of the Helsby Hill, and Chester, a largish town with wonderful roman history, great architecture and of course the 'wall' around the city. We used public transport right throughout the region and it was fantastic. Punctual, easy to follow, cheap and gave us an opportunity to sit back and look at the countryside. Scott, Elizabeth and William also took a trip to Liverpool for one day which, although terrible weather hit them, was enjoyable and yet another experience.
climbing of the Helsby Hill, and Chester, a largish town with wonderful roman history, great architecture and of course the 'wall' around the city. We used public transport right throughout the region and it was fantastic. Punctual, easy to follow, cheap and gave us an opportunity to sit back and look at the countryside. Scott, Elizabeth and William also took a trip to Liverpool for one day which, although terrible weather hit them, was enjoyable and yet another experience.Travelling down to London by train was fantastic and took only 2 1/2 hours to travel what would have taken at least 5 in a car ( and no doubt endless fights about directions and keeping the children quiet so we could concentrate). Instead, we could sit back in the train, enjoy the views and even do some work on the laptop as the train have wireless internet access.After we got over the initial shock of navigating through the Undergound for the first time, with 4 children, 3 pieces of hand luggage and 3 suitcases, we found our home with the Fransiscan Nuns just near Victoria Station, a very central part of London. This place was such a solace in such a big city and we did very much enjoy coming home to them each afternoon after days of exploring London. We really enjoyed the walking, the Museum of Natural History, the Rainforest Cafe, The Imperial War Museum, Hyde Park and the Undergound. There is so much more to see in London, but time doesn't allow you to see everything. The children in particular really enjoyed our breakfasts each morning in the dining room of the Nun's residence. Sister Connie would bring us our breakfast, consisting either of bacon and eggs or sausages and eggs, toast and juice. Yummy! Thank-goodness we were doing alot of walking.!
Leaving London from Kings Cross Station we couldn't resist going to visit Platform 9 3/4 to get our fix of Harry Potter land. We then travelled to York, once again on the train.York was a great place to settle for 6 days. The town has a Roman and a Viking Histor
y so once again we got to well and truly brush up on our history. It certainly makes it far easier to get the overall 'vibe' of English history when you are walking in it. We visited many places in York, but the highlight would have to be when it snowed - we were all very excited.
y so once again we got to well and truly brush up on our history. It certainly makes it far easier to get the overall 'vibe' of English history when you are walking in it. We visited many places in York, but the highlight would have to be when it snowed - we were all very excited.Our last stop was Edinburgh in Scotland. A city with an enormous castle towering over it is pretty i
mpressive and we were continually in awe of the presence the castle made in the town. We walked around the city many times, and still didn't manage to see it all in six days. We did however enjoy the afternoon and lunch with some Warrnambool people which was a breath of fresh air.
mpressive and we were continually in awe of the presence the castle made in the town. We walked around the city many times, and still didn't manage to see it all in six days. We did however enjoy the afternoon and lunch with some Warrnambool people which was a breath of fresh air.We then travelled back down to London, to Stanstead, to take the plane to Italy. We stayed just near the airport for 2 nights and Scott was able to catch up with some friends of some friends of ours from Mornington. He really enjoyed his night out and it was great to be taken out and shown around by a local.
We said good-bye to England on a rather chilly Saturday morning at 6.30am, having risen at 3.15am to ensure we didn't miss the plane.
Our journeys around England were very special and will hold many great memories for us all. The children have astounded us with their resilience. They have taken to a new country, different accents, new places and lots of walkiing and new experiences without any major concerns.We no embark on the next part of our adventure - Italy!
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